Knitting machine and separate latch needle therefor



P. P. LAMONTGNE. KNITTING MACHINE AND SEPARATE LATCH NEEQLE THEREFOR.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I FILED MAR. 2. 1920.

P. P. LAMONTAGNE. KN: TTING MAGHINE AND SEPARATE LATCH N- :EDLE THEREFOR.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Fx LED MAR. 2, 1920.

www tra l titane .entren stares rarest nearest varieren r; La Holtmann, en nounnonnsrs; preliminare,` nes-rencia, :er nasen Assicura ro reen mesme company, or Remmen, Immers,- n con. PORTION 0F ILLINIS.

nnrrrrns MACHINE sin) SEPARATE miren Nnnntn aumentaron.

Application filedNai-eh 1920. Serial No 't'd To all 'whom t may concern.' cepting during the actual casting oft over 55 r Be it'known that I, PATRICK' LA MoN- the closed'hook. TAGNE, a citizen of the United States, resid It .is'the further object of the invention to ing at Bourbonnais, co'unty of Kankakee, vprovide a separate latch needle in which the State of Illinois, have invented an Improveforward end of the hook member is od sety ment in Knittin Machines' and Separate :outwardly suhciently to enable the point of 16o Latch Needles T erefor, of which theiffolthe latc member'to be concealed in the lowing description, in connection withthe shank of thefhookmember when the needle accompanying drawing, is a specication, `is 1n projected position and thus enable the like characters on the drawing representing cross section over which the stitch slides durlike parts. v ing the retreating movement of the needle 65 This invention relates to a knitting mato be maintained constant. This oii'set'fea-- chine and to a separate latch knitting mature of the hook member is also of great iinr chine needle, that is7 a needle of the type in portance in a separate latch needle because which the hook member and latch member it enables the needie with certainty to catch are separate members physically independand receive the yarn in the knitting opera- 'It' ent, but cooperating' to perform the required tion. The oset feature of this invention en` y knitting functions. ables the yarn running from the usual yarn It is the object of the invention ,to provide guide readily to be cauejht by the hook and a separate latch knitting machine needle of' is ofthe Igreatest importance. I i this type which may be mounted and oper'- *It is the further object of theI invention 75 ated in the needle slot of the needle bed-A 'toprovidc a novel form of hook member and A without the necessity of providing a coma novelformfof latch'member for the sepaplete separate slot for .the latch member 'rate-latch needle. such as is frequently employed in connection It is the further object ofthe invention to with this type of needle. provide aseparate latch knitting machine f8@- It isthe further object of the invention needle which may be adapted for use in va to provide a Nsparate latch needle so conrions types of knitting niachines'and 'which 'structed that the cooperating movements of may vreadily be substituted for any form of the members may be efected ivithout exknitting machine needle Whereverthe same d pending thestitches during the reti-acting 1s used. 85

movement save in so tar as '1s actually necesl t is'the further object of the invention to sary to secure the casting off of the stitches, provide a construction yof separate latch It is the further object ot the invention needle in which provision is made for auto to provide a self contained separate latch matic-ally clearing dirtand'foreignsubstance knitting;r machine needle, that is, one in from the slotted portion of the hook mem 9o which the'members are assembled in cooperber.

-ative relation and one in which while these "It is a further object of the'invention 4to members are physically -imlependent they provide a separate latch needle and cooper-v will notbe readily separated. Hence, the. atingr needle bed construction in which the needle maybe supplied to the users and kept needle is steadied and guided in its move- 95 as an entity and at any time may be inserted ment. into the needle slot as an entity. It is a further object of the invention to It is the further object ot' the invention provide a separate latch needle vin which to provide a separate latch needle in which novel means 'are provided for guiding the the transverse movement of the latch from latch member in its, movement with respect 100 its position covering the hook ready for to the hook member. f casting off ot the stitches to its open or re- It is the further object of the invention to tracted posit1on or vice versa is secured provide a knitting machine employing a. while maintaining constant the total crosse Separate latch needle and a projecting cam section of the needle on which the stitch to in which the ends ot' the ,projecting cam-pr- 105 be cast oit slides so that no material expam ject the needle to different elevations. i sion of the stitch takesv place at ax eriod It is the further object of the invention to of the retreating movement of the edleexprovide a knitting lmachine' employing a,

its slot to control the casting oil of the stitches when .the hook end ot the needle.Y isl considerably oil-set.

These and other objects and features ot the invention will appear more tullir from vthe accompanying description and drawings and will be particularljiv pointed out in the claims. u

In the drawings which show a well known and ordinary type oif cii'cili'lar knitting niachine with a preferred einbodin'ient oi' the present invention,

Fig. 'l is a view chieltY in central vertical cross section of a portion of the knitting machine. 5

Fig. 2 is a detail in transverse 'cross section showing the connection between the needle projecting cani ring and the needle retracting cam ring.'

Fig. 3 is a side elevation iartially in'ver tical cross sectioirof a needle embodying apreferred form of the invention, the needle being shown in'projccted position.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of shown in retracted position.

Fig. 5 is a'view in elevation looking toward the left of the needle shown in -F ig. 3 with a portion of the hook member broken away to show the latch member.

Fig. 6 isa view in transverse crossseethe needle tion of the needle taken on the line (i-of Fig'. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a sli htly different construction ofthe iatch niemer.' l v FigpS is a development of the lprelierred form, of latch member.

Fig. 9 is a side elevationof the jack. Fig. 10 is an end elevation looking toward the left of Fig. 9 of the jack. Fig. l1 is a transverse cross section enlarged of the jack taken on the line ll-ll ot' Fig. 9.

rllie invention is adapted Jfor us as has already been pointed out in any ordinary type of knitting machine and with the usual modification for use in any position in the machine. For the purpose ot illustrating the invention thc needle is herein disclosed as a tvpe adapted for use as a cylinder needle in the cylinder of a circular knitting mai chine.

For convenience in disclosing the invention the movement of the needle to yarn ref ceiving position will be referred to as the y i525 projecting movement or movement to form illustgetetlthe opening iii is a walled lita .otherwise limiting the invention'.

einen projected position movement fit the needle in the opposite direction will bc rcferred to as the retractiug. iiuirenicnt" or the movement to retracted position "g the direction toward the uecdlc hcd will be reytei'red to as inner and the direction away vlatch members will be referred to longi tudinalg direction through the members from face to i'ace t lateral "'z and direction in or parallel with the general plane oll the members as "transverse": but it will bc understood that these and similar terms relative oiilj,7 and are not to be taken as The present invention in some ot its fein turcs is subordinate to the inventionA set forth and claimed in my latent Xo. iyiifbl.) `granted -liiay lLlQ() on an application #222,057 tiled li'laijch liil. The present application is also -a continuation as to many of its features ot' my applications Nos. 251,806 and 251,807 filed. August 28, wifi, the latter ofwvliicb has been abandoned since the tiling. ot'... and the claims thereof trans ferred to, the present ai'plicatioin but the present invention is the preferred torni vall claims to subject matterl common to the y present application and roy/aforesaid application #251,806 are'embodied lin the i present application.

.In the construction herein disclosed the cooperate. with `the projecting cani` of the The hook member in the torni illustrated is provided with a shoulder ll to `knitting machine needle comprises the two separate and independent members, the hook lll) machine while the rearward portion oic the shankV 15 of the hook member is provided with a shoulder 1G which in this case copperatcs with a separate lack which in turn is actuated byithe retractiimn cani of thema-i.`

chine vand the operation of which will be set forth later. l

Midwa)v of the shank 15 the hook member is enlarged transversely to toim the body portion "i7 and this body portion is provided with an opening 18 extending laterally therethrough. The end walls 19 and 20 present or constitute shoulders whichl 'coin tacting with'the latch member insurethe proper relative movement of the needle members. i. l

It will be'observed that in the preferred in opening;

Ythe inner and outer side ot' of the needle and that is to say this opening passes laterally through the body portion of the' hook'member the material of whlch preferably` completelyv surrounds .the opening. An. important feature of thls openmg' resides in the fact that it presents a wall at theopening opposite the'end or butt of the latch so that as the latch moves longitudinally relatively to the needle these walls prevent transverse movement of the'butt ofthe latch. This lateral opening is alsov anA important feature because it enables a self contained separate latch needle to be produced in which the latch is not readily separable from the hook member as will be hereinafter set forth.

.That portion of theinner wall of the lateral opening acts, it will be noted.to guide the rear portion of the latch member, as hereinafter pointed out xso that the latch cannot pass inside of the line of the inner edge'of the hook member and thus limits the inward movement of the latch member to the line of the inner edge of the hook member. It also in connection with' the other latch guiding surfaces on the hook member results in all of these latch guiding surfaces being located within the confines disposed between the two,- or the inner and outer, edges of the hook member. y l

The shank 15 of the hook member forwardI of the body portion is slotted longitudinally and transversely at 21 to 22. This slot opens into the lateral opening 18 and at its forward portion 21 extends entirely through the hook member trans-ige lely thereof. This Slot is preferably forrriiitbya sawing op` eration and the configuration of the needle is so arranged to enable the ordinary type of circular saw to be employed. A recess 23 ,is provided-"Eon theo of thevhook slot 21 and this uter face recess may be formed by a saw operating on member connecting with the f 1 the outer face, while the gmdlng shoulder 24 forming a continuation of the recess and connecting the' recess and slot may be formed bya smaller saw moving rectilinearly. A small notch or recess 25 is formed on the outer face ofthe tip of theJhook to receive the latch point.-

The latch member' 13 is made of thin sheet metal and of such thickness that it may readily move in the slot 21-22. At its forward end it presents the head 26 having the outwardly and forwardly inclined latch point 27, preferably having its extreme tip 28 extending in line with the length of the latch' member so as to rest in the notch 25. On yits outeriacethe point meets the head in a smooth curve 29 forming a seat in which the stitch to be cast oil may rest during the retracting movement of the needle. The rearward end of the shank of the latch member basa portion 3Q shown developed in small area.

Fig. 8 extending transversely from die main body of the shank. In the completed latch this portion is bent back upon itself to brlng the edge-31 in line with the edge 32 and then a sharp bend or crease is formed in one or both of the sides so as to give the shape shown in cross section in Figs. 6 and 7 respectively. lVlien but one side of the butt of the latch thus formed is bent or creased as on the line 33 the shape is as shown in Fig. 6; when both sides are bent as on the lines 34- the shape is as shown in Fig. 7. In.;

butt seceither case the side walls of this tion of the latch yield with respect to each other without danger of cracking or splitting the metal of which the latch member is formed. The butt section of the latch thus formed is bent so nas to present a yielding or resilient cross section some-what greater than the thickness of the hook member and of suflicient thickness frictionally to engage the side walls of the .needle slot and effect the required retarding action with respect to the movement of the hook member. -The shank of the latch member forwardly of the butt is b ent laterally at 35'so as to bring it intothe. medial plane of the hook member.

The butt its rearward and forward ends suitable shoulders 36 and 37 for cooperating respectively with the shoulders 19 and 2() ofthe hook member. The contacting areas of these pairs of shoulders is made relatively small to prevent any,accumulation of dlrt between the shoulders which would vary the accuracy of operation of the needle members. This result is secured in the case of the contacting shoulders 19 and 36 by cutting away the latch butt at 38 and in the case of the contactingr shoulders 20 and 37 by making the shoulder 20 of The shank of the latch member is also provided at its outer edge with a' plurality of small teeth 39 which during the relative movement of the "needle members pass back and forth through the slotted porportion ofthe latcl. presents attions 21 and 22 of the hook member and thus serve to keep the slotted portion of the hook i ing operation accuracywould be obtained with considerable difficulty. 1

i Bdth the hook member and latch member are formed ofY sheet metal of the required thickness preferably by stamping or cutting operations. -This enables both members to be formed with extreme accuracy and Vin- Cri tien.

siiresinii ehe members of dy given Size being exzieiy Mike. which highy impormni boia. in :iwinacj ef epeiziien i1; the compiee nifefiie uni to 10W-0% mi manufacivure. RV

point of the hitch member into epenng le' ami through the sio A22-Qi imsii the point rests against the shouleier Titien lhe laeh im@ Wil snap into piace in die opening 18. Fhe members will ex'nainhus assembled because when *die shsmlie' 36 is 'n eenaei 'with the Shoulder 13 'h'e pointof the latch is reveied :fram passing in wziifiy by the' suouidei' 0i. The needle 'when "i emiiecl pi'esems a` sef-eenminef. stiiieiue .inwhich the iiich member m.

consisuee 'ile needle bed and in 'he periph ery of which are formed the radial needle Slots 415e "file upper portions ef "these needle slots aire cui deeper into the eyiinder to en ii'ie ai'zmsvei'sxe radii-iig movement of the needle to take place. .The inner edge 0r bo- 'tom i5 of the mme? ")miion of -iie needley L L l he stiiieies are drawn is 'thereforehenpper Suruce of ille sinkers 'when ellis eimsiietiou suicfakze of' the suiker is efipieyed. The mitm yixc'leif between the s'ots thereof is *formed 4.0 uiine vih the vfm1-face 46 of the imver portion of iie needle sluis in h'e @yi- V infie; S'emt 'the medie `in its. movement muy luide against this surface.

ef the Cylinder und the Guter boiteux edge 5l Cylinder kover 'which i zone 0i? the cylinder iider is beveed f dowmviudy and inwardy. This enabes any dire eoiecng indie medie slot of the Cylinder to be pushed mit int@ the eyiiide' nteor by the needle wiring its ieeproefien and pre- Yezas e'oygiig el yhe medie is a simier manner the upper: amil owei: pel# iiexis o the slof@ maker eyiindei' 53 of die are cuiJ hifough to ehe inigero so that the sinken in heir 'ecproeaems push any dirt eoliecng `in the sos in to the inteiez' of she 'eyinde The needle may be operated in :my suitable manner but when Some vche zieeies are to be thrown mii of and ino receiving position in ox'dei te hroii' "Ahe needie mit o' action beeause ii; is; eniy necessary in {nejeeviiie sepguate jziei indepemientiy ef the needle to e. position Where i ii'iii neit be aeeii upon by he reiimeimgzj cam.

die separate jack arrangefi. ie @parlate in ihe i'zeeile-sietmid zeaward of the'neefiie.

'.ifbis separate jack as shown ,in 9, l0 and ll aise pi'efelabd :eime mit of shee metal by :L stamping mi ending operaiol, so :is i0 oim he simudei'sihereoif W ii exif-eme accmuey. i comprises L 'simnk having at its: forwzufci end in outs'zizd projeeion wresening a shoiifiiei: 56 to c0- opei'ate wh the shoulder elf the hook member ma @The neecfie. :fear iis year en@ it is prmficed with the'eiiivaifligf' projeeed buit which projete beween he bers 47 (if gi'ie skeieen ey'iidei' when used, and which is aeed upon i351' ille reti? iiimfg Tn rem of iie buit 5'? the. vfirpmaee jam may ee-pif deed with iiiceiff i'jifben {il} ,11ers 5S and 5&9 50 pass behind mijzuzei' bars of the skeeien eyimiez' :in-( thus piei'en 'any dangereif fiile jack coming Qui from tile ueeiiie Sio, The shank i Ui he'jaek is ident siigiitiy :is shown in Fi l) .so that when l fick is place@ im les simi viwxli nae fri@ tien with ise fails the sint.

The uiie rem'mctingg; cmu 30 is celried by lhe @am ring 61, mouned in ifz'e bed plete il to oizite,concentricuiiywiththe cylinder in the iisuzii manner and driven by the gem ring 62 from iue gea? G3 in *die usual man nel'. This rei-raging cam 60 acts upon the jack buts 5T .and has zssmfiaed with it a projecting cam formegi in 'the @am ring 6l also acingz upen the j-zek bus. Y

The pwgleeing movement oit' the needle is,

meme given by e repente projeeing cem CJi 491s carried consequently the cani ring the saine relation vertically with respect to' 10 jecting cam riig is .oriiied in. a ltarily supported in the sinker guide 49.

4. llhiscain ring 66 is shown as ilangedffat 67 and held in place by a, flange ring 68 screwed to the bottom surface 9i the sinken guide 49 As previously explained, the"sinker guide by the needle cylinder 43 and 66 alivays retains Rotation 'of'.tlie proi secured by connecting it-fto the usual cam ring 61. This connection may be made hy a post 69 securedto the cam ring 6i and projecting upwardly'therefroin between lugs 70 projecting vlaterally from the projecting cani ring G6. 'Set Ascrews-71 iii the lugs v70 contact 'with' the 'post 69 and enable an accurate relative adjustment to'be made between the two cam rings.

The projecting cani 65 acts upon the shoulder 141 formed upon the hookmeinber of the needle and givesthe projecting movement to the needle.

The retreating movement of the needle is given through the agency of the jack and is effected by the retracting cain 60 acting upon the jack butt 57. The .jack projecting the needle cylinder.

cam Si is for the purpose of insuring the jack butts being left in proper position to cooperate with the cfiin and picker mechanisinsiicli as is usually employed for throwing the needles out of and into action.

In this type of machinei'the stitchI is lengthened and shortened by .raising and lowering the needle cylinder 43 Whih in Fig. l is shown at its highest point. lVhen the needle cylinder is lowered the shoulders 56 of the jack and 16 of the needle stand separatedf'because the cam 65 moves with the needle cylinder. Thisfinsiires that the needle in projected position shall always occupy the saine relative position with respect to the eiective top of the cylinder over which the stitches are dra/wn.

The cani 34 functions"particularly, when the cooperating shoulders'of the jack 'and needle are separated. to raise the jacks' .ito proper relation with respect to the usual cani, picker, and diopper mechanism for throwing needles out of and into action. the jack butts when they ride over the portion 72 .of this cam beinei left in proper position. The cani (i4 presents-the high points T2 that when the cylinder is raised or lowered to lengthen orshorten the stitclronly a few of the jacks over the portion 7'2 are moved in'their slots. Hence the force required to raise and lower the cylinder is reduced.

'hen one or more needles are to be thrown out ot action the proper cam or pickermeclianism, (notshoivn) acting upon the jack butt 57 elevates the required number of jacks .Without in any Way changing the position of the corresponding needles to :i 'position where they are caught by and .slide along projecting cam ring iro# the top of tliecani 60. Thus the correspond 'lng needles are prevented from receiving any retracting movement and consequently A'remain outof action. To restore these needles intoaction the jack butts 57 are acted upon by the usual cani or dropper mechanism to bring them into the path of the retraotiiig cem 60.

The yarn 73 may-be fed in any suitable manner as through a guide eye 74 which extends beneath the hook of the hooi: member r*of the'needle or so as to hold the yarn beneath and in the path of thehoolt. The ofiq` set portion of the'hook member as hereinbefore and hereinafter pointed out enables the yarn to be thus readily fed to and caught by the needle. I i

ltwill' be understood that the yarn is fed Yinto the hook when the needle is in the projected Aposition shown in Fig. 3. As the needle is retracted the previous loop for stitch hanging on the needle must slide for- 'wardly relatively to the needle 'and finally be cast oli" over the hook end. Bering this retracting movement of the-needle whe latch member moves relatively to the licei; meinber until the latch point closes over the' hook with the extreme point resting in the recess 25 in the hook tip, lt .will be evident that after .thel latch has closed over the hook 'i and the stitch islying at the poi-nt 75 indi Vcated in Fig. 4 the movement of the 'stitch relatively to the needle in casting oifroin the point 75 until it is entirely cast 'oii"',in-

herently requires an expansion of the-loop .or stitch. This expansionV cannot be prevented and is inherent tothe nat-ure ot a latch needle. ein this construction the expension of the loop is'inade as small as pos sible because the latch point 28 seats in the ipcess 25 thus making the maximum cross section of the latch member and hook inem'n ber where casting ofi" takes place the minimum possible. tvthis time also it willv be notedt'hat the latch' point is bridged`V being supported at both ends and so is capable of taking the necessary strain and atthe l'saine time can be made as small as possible.

Butit will be remembered that in the 'knitting operation several needles are simultaneously being acted upon by the retracting cam GOAand are in different states or'positions ofretraction. If these stitches are expanded to any extent it places a great strain upon the work and may result in rupture or cutting ofthe yarn. One important feature of this. invention is the preventing of the expansion oi the stitches other than that essential to the casting oil' operation.

In the present invention the forward end of the hook member or that portion forward of the usual cheek is oiiset outwardly from the line 76 of the inner edge of the hook lmember to suoli an extent that When the needle is in projected position the outer face ine thus constructed andin projected position ity will be .seen that the outwardly and vorwardli' inclined pointiot' the latch member rests in the slot :2l in the hook member lyingI in the inclined portion 'ot' the hook member joining the oti'set portion to the shank. This kenablesithe usual transverse thickened portionlor cheek ot' the-hook member to be eliminated and the latch point to be concealed in the hook member whe nv the needle' is in projected positionand at the same time the,v total cross section of the needle to rci main constant or at least not to increase in Size. from the Section where the stitch rests when the needle isin projected position up to the section at thebase ot' the latch point when thelatch closed over the'hook.

lt is thus possible for the stitch to slide without expansion along theneedle from the point where the stitch rests when the needle is in projected position to the point i5 (see `llig. el) where the stitch is about to begin to be cast 'off over'the closed latch point.-

' Thus during the retracting movement of the needles absolutely no strain is placed upon any of the stitc-hesother than is absolutely necessary and the stitches are only expanded as they passover the latch point when closed over the hook. The construction is so arranged that the latch does not move beyond the contines of the hook member or, in the Wien the reti-actingy movement of the needle begins the latchwineml'ier is first cammed outwardly by riding 'on the shoulder 24 and the stitch rests across the june-- tion of the latch point and hook member. iV hen the latch member has been cammed entirely outwardy its: inner edge is then in line with theJr inner edge or bottom ot'vthe ren cess AS the retraeting movement of the needle continues the stitch slides along the offset portion with'the latchy member until they needle is in the position shown in Fig. 4. Then upon the remaining portion of the retracting movement of the needle the stitch is expanded and Vcast off'in the' usual manner.

"Preferalily provision is made for rocking the needle inwardly during the casting oil' portionoi the retracting movement so as to reduce any strain on. the varn caused by the offsetting ot .the hook en of the hook mea;- ber, To aseist inths rocking movement the lower outer periphery 77 of the sinkercylinder dis bevelled downwardly and inwardly tocorrespond substantially to the inner snr'n tace T8 of the inclined portion 0f the'lwk t member of the needle and an inclined, cam shoulder 79 is formed on the outer edge of the body ot the hook member to cooperate with a similarly inclined surface 8() formed'y on arguide ring member 8l supported 0n an annularshoulder Si) of the needle cylinder .and held in place by screws 83 passing `through the annular suiker guide 49.V It

will thus be seen that as the Aneedle'is retracted and the shoulder T9 comes in contact with the surface S() the needle is swung inwardly into the deepened portion 45 of the needle slot. Vpon the projecting movementot' the needle the surface 78 of the hook member contacting with the surface 77 of the sinker c viinder restores the needle to itsposition parallel with the axis of the eylin rlhis provision for transversely rocio der.

ing lthe needle brings the o 'set enti of the l machine apart which is a'great advantage in replacing needles which have been worn out or broken. v

The cam o5 is relieved all the wayY around at nl excepting at the high points 85 and 86 at each side of thc cam so that any tendency to a slight strain dile to any slight niisposition of the needles is relieved by allowing the 'needles to retract` slightly after they have been projciieted. c

The high point 85 which is the one which projects the needles at the knitting point during circular knitting is higher than the pointl Hh and is arranged to projectthe needles at th); knitting point as t'ar as possible and in tact to bring the surface 78. very close to the edge ot' thedial 8T when a dial is employed. 'ihis leaved-the remainder of the lila irc

needles at soiiiedistanee from theedge of tlie dial so that the work passing down between the needles and the edge of the dial is not held between the needles and the edge of they dial. The ditferenco iu elevation'between lthe high points 85 and 86 is immaterial in `recnirocating'work because thev work is not :animee along the needle as tlie'latch movesdiiring the retracting movement without expansion. In the preferred construction illustrated c the butt 88 of the hook member is somewhat elongated and is arranged to guide against the inner edge of the head 89 of the skeleton cylinder, thus' the needleI is steadiedat both ends in its movements and is controlled throughout its entire movements and ,reciprocation. A

The latch member is supportedv laterally both in the portion 21 and in the portion 22 of the transverse slot so that it isprevented from twisting in its travel and thus any projection of the latchvmember into the needle bed is rendered unnecessary.

The ofl'settin r of the forward end of the' hook member also enables the yarn to be fed directly beneath the hook member as shown in' Fig. 1 and thus readily to be caught by the hook. j

It will be seen that there is no strain whatever placed upon the stitches during the retractin movement prior to immediate castving oilpbe'cause the cross section oi the needle is not increased. Hence there is little frictica required between the latch member andthe slot in the needle bed during this portion of the retracting movement to prevent dragging the latch rearwardlyY and so preventing closure.' It is suliicient therefore that thelatch member shall have only a slight frictional engagement with the walls of the slot or substantially that necessary to support the weight of the latch if it be in a vertical position.

The construction is so' arranged that both hook member and latch member have a non mal tendency to remain in contact with tli'e bottom or inner wall of the slot in the needle bed. This is-elfected withwrespect to the hook meinber by having the line a in Fig. l between the shoulder 16 and the hook of ges en- 31 and 32 ofthe latch butt frictionally gage the walls of the slot, and with respect to the latch member, by having the point of contact between the shoulders 20 and 37 'also' outside of the line where the latch butt i'rictionally engages the walls of the slot. Hence when the retiacting pull takes place on the needle the tendency is always to hold the entire needle both latch member and hook member against the needle hed. I

vHaving thus described my invention what I Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. -A separate latch knitting machine needle comprisinga hook member provided with a slot extending longitudinally' there-` of and transversely therethrough, a trans-A vcrselv rigid separate latch member bodily movable in said slot longitudinally and transversely relatively to the hook member, and provided with a head having an outoutwardly from the beA the point of the latch member wlieii:iy projected position with thei;

said inclined point of the, latch membeifi.v lying in the inclined section ot' 'the hook'-4 member rearward ot' whereby the total cross section of the needle over which the stitch slides is not materially increased v member. ff-f 2. A separate latch knitting machine said offset portiom'.

by the presence yofthe latchl needle comprising separate hook and lately members, the said hook member bein prof-1f vided with a. slot extending longituf inally" thereof and transversely therethroii h, the' said latch member movable in said Silit lorigitudinally andm transversely relativelyv to the hook member and provided with a having an outwardly inclined poing the forward end of said hook lmember being ose,

of the hook member, the said oiset'portion ofthe hook member being provided on its outward face with a recess opening intothc slot and of a cross sectional Varea substati-4 tially equal to the cross sectional aiea or the latchmember at the base of -its point whereby the` latch member may be projected out wai'dly and moved relativelyv to the hook member into closed cooperative position with the hook` without increasing the total cross Asection of the members over which the stitch slides during such movement. l o

3. A separate latch knittingf machine needle comprising parate hooi: and latch members, the said hook member being provided witli a slot extending longitudinally' thereof. and transversely therethrough, the

said latch member movable in said' kslot loiigitudinally' and transversely relatively to the hook member and provided with a head havline of the inner edge' head i' ica ing an outwardly inclined point, the forward end of said hook m ber being offset outwardly from the line of the' inner edge of the hook member, and means permitting the stitch. to slide over the needle during the retracting movement of the needle up to the time when the latch point is closed upon the hook tip lWithout increasing the totale-rosssectional area of the needlel over which the stitch slides during' such movement.

4. A separateV latch` knitting machine needle comprising separate hook and latch members, ,the said, hook member being pro vided with a Slot extending longitudinally j thereof. and transversely therethrough, the said latch member movable in said slot longitudinally and transversely relatively to the hook member and provided with a head Ihaving an outwardly inclined point, the forward end of said hook member being offset mamas the shank forward of the body portion and into the opening of the bodyportion; a separate latch member having a-shank movable in said slot and having a laterally resilient butt movable in said walled in opening.

13. A self contained separate latch knitting machine needle comprising the construction defined in claim l2 inwhich the shank of the hook member is@ provided with a retracting shoulder and' in which a line extending between the hook and the said retracting shoulder is located inside of the friction line of the latch butt whereby upon the retracting movement of the needle the tendency is to hold both the hook member and the latch member inwardly.

14. A separate latchy knitting machine needle comprising separate hook and latch memberslthe said hook member being pro- `vided with a slot extending longitudinally i thereof and transversely therethrough, the

said latch member movable in said slot longitudinally and transversel relatively to the hook member and providad with a head having an outwardly inclined point, the forward end of said hookmember being oilset outwardly to bring its outer face substantially'parallel'to theline of the inner edge of fthe hook member and covering the point of the latch member when the needle is in projected position with the said inclined point of the latch member lying in the. inclined section of the hook member rearward of said 4odset portion and with the entire latc'; member lying outside the line of the inner edge of the hook member whereby the two needle members may be operated in a single needle slot.

l5. A separate latch knitting machine needle comprising separate hook and latch members. the said hook member being provided with a slot extending longitudinally thereof and transversely. therethrough, the said latch member movable in said slot longitudinally andtransversely relatively to the hook member and provided with a head having an outwardly inclined point, the forward end ot' said hook member being offset outwardly to bring its outer face substantially parallel to the line of the inner edge of the hook member and covering the point of the latch member when the needle is in projected position with the said inclined point of the latch member lying in the inclined section of the hook member rearward of said offset portion and ,with the entire latch member lying outside the line of the inner edge ot the hook member whereby'the two needle members may be operated in a single needle slot, the said offset portion ofthe hook member being'provided on its outward face with a recess opening into the slot and of a cross sectional area substantiallyv equal to 'the cross sectional area of the latch member at the base of its point whereby the latch member may be projected outwardly and moved relatively to the hook.

member' vinto closed cooperative position with the hook Without increasing the total cross-section of the members over which the stitch slides during such movement.

16. A separate latch knitting machine needle comprising separate hook and latch members, the said hook member being provided with aslotextending.longitudinally thereof and transversely therethrou 4h, the said latch member movable in said s ot longitudinally and transversely relatively to the hook member and provided with a` head having an'outwardly inclined point, the forward end of said hook member being' offset outwardly to bring its outer face substantially parallclto the line of the inner edge of the hook member and covering the point of the latch member when thc needle is in projected position with the said inclined point of the latch lying inthe inclined section of the hook member rearward of said offset portion and with the entire latch member lying outside the line of the inner edge of the hook member whereby the two needle members may be operated in a single needle slot, and means permitting the stitch to slide over the needleduring the retracting movement of the needle up to thetime when the latch point is cio-sed upon thehook tip without increasing the total cross sectional area of the needle over which the stitch slides during such movement.

17. A separate latch knitting machine needle comprising separate hook and latch members, the said hookmember being provided with a slot extending longitudinally thereof and transversely therethrough, the said latchmember movable in said .slot longitudinally and transversely relatively to the `latch member when the needle is in projected position with the said inclined point of vthe latch lying inthe inclined sectionot' the book member rearward of said offset portion and with the entire latch member lying outsrde the line of the member whereby the two needle members may be operated in a single needle slot, and

means for effecting the outward projection of the latch member with respect to the hook member and the relative movement of the said members into position with the latch point covering the hook tip without increasing the total cross section of the said members over which the stitch slides during such movements. y

18. A separate latch knitting machine needle comprising separate hook and latch inner edge of the hook Cil fri

niri'nliri's. the. s :iid ,hook iiirinlirr poing prof vidod willi ii slot oxtonding longiludiinilly tl'iiiroof and lranif'crsoly tliorohrough` llio said latch ineinlioi' movable in fluid Slot longitudinally and transversely rrlzitivoly lo tho hook member unil provided with u head having un initwardljg' inclined pil-inl7 the for wordienrl of Suid hoolrmeniliei' boing ol'sel; outwardly to bring its outer finzi, siilistiln. tizilly parallel to the lineI of the inner odge of the hook nioinlior and coveringa tho poin ol' rho lili-:zh ineinl'ior when lio iioodleis in pre'ijoqed position with the i-niro l'zilzrli monilier lying outsidey the line ol' thi, inner odge, oi theliool; inf-Inhal' whereby the two mrmliir may lio operated in a single. slol, @he slotted shank o thi said hook nioifnher roar- 'sird ol' said oll'svt portion beingf inclined inwzirdlv to the lineI ol' the inner edgy oil' the hook inmlirr :il substantially the inclination of thv lotrh poin lo its shank and oi a Vcriiso-oi-rlioii substantially equal to tho ri'oils sforion olfho offset, portion wlierohy tho poin of tho luloliinoinlior Wlmii ilio iioodloih` in pri'iiorod posiion will llo vonooulod in Said inrliiiofl poi'ion ol' tho-shrink of the hooi; niemlior.

ll). separato lutoliv knitingf machine noodle ooiiiprisingg the ':onsrurtion donned in claim 18 in which thel said oliset portion of the liooli moinlior is providrd on ils outer face with a recess openiimr into said slot und having a, cross sectional :iron Sulishinially that of the latch point wlioroliy the stitch iiiziy move without living rxpiindrd from ifi position on tliefneodlo in tho pro-- jectod position of tho noodle to :i position at the hose of the lalrli point when ho lzilrh 1 point is closed over the hook.

20. seporiio latch knittingl iiiziohino noodle comprising ai, hook i'i'ioinlior hziving; ii body portion providd with an oponing oxlending laterally therethrough, thvl shank lorwaiiv-l ol said opening living im'liiird oiitivzirdly from tho lino ol' the inner odgo of tho hook iiiomlior and tor niinatingr iii', the lorvi'iird ond in -zin outwardly ol'set portion pi'ovidod `with ii hook, lhii outwardly inclined :ind oll'sift poi'- tions in the rear or' the hook living oic suhs zintiiilly uniloi'ni cross section throughout, the said hook moiiilior boing,longitudinally and transversely slotted through tho shiiiilc forward of the body portioniind into rho oponinlgy of the body portion; :i sep-mito liiti'li iiiemlier coiniirisingiinliouldorod liiiib section located in illi@ opening ol tho. liody of the hook member find (io-operating, with the end walls of' the said opening fro 'secure thex relativo longilludinzil iiiovoiiionts of the saialmeinliorm aliimli, a head, sind an out wiirrlly inolinocl polini, the sind latrhmoin ller movable longitudinally findlransversely 'in the Slot of the hook member relatively thereto, the said inclined point when he iiioiiilioi' mounted lo more in and through llizit poriioii ol' the rolaii'e iiioveineiitfif llio will nioiiiliors which tiilzos plz-ro during; rho i'elrarliiig iiioi'oiiiont ol' tho noodle prior to tho dosing of tho liitifn upon the hook, iiirrouso in lio tomi -irosis'section o' tho nienilierh' over which 'the stich slidos, whero by lli(A stili-li is nol expanded in movingr from its position on tho needle when piro` "jor-lod to its position on'iiho needle inimadizitvlif prior to casting oil over the close-(l lioolr.Y :ind nio-uns; l-o'r prevailing :my porioii o his lzirli izioiiilior 'from passing lo@ yond tho inner odge ol the hooi( iiiernlier during tho iiioi'mn@ntsl 'o'" the needlv.

22. il Sop; silo latch lniting iiiaohino iiridlo roiiipi'ising' hook nioiiilifer having a liody poi-lion proi'idrd willi :in opoi'iinii; o

tiliiiiiiig lzitrrzilly tliorvtliroiig'lil. the said hook inoinlior lioinxglongitudinally and ruiisi'orsoly slotlod iliroug'li the, shank 'lorliiiird ol' thv liody portion :ind into the opian ing' ol' thv liod;y portion: :i sei'iiirato' latch iiioiiiliri' liui'iiig :i shank' iiiovzililo in Said SlotV und having a lzitorally resilient. huil iiiovzililiy in said opening. :nid inea-nie for pro*` i'oiitiiig :in ihporiioii oi tlio latch manillar from passing lioyoiiil tho iiinor odge of theduring); thi` iiiovieinonlzl: of the utah kiiiling' ingu-him noodlo haring' a point for oo| ioi'uliiifiA willi Atho hook ol' the noodl und, havin;r :i slizinlu ai porlioii ol' tho shrink being'. i-xrndod tiziiisvri'srl'i' and limit hook upon vilsoll" wifh :i sharp hond or rroaso in ono of the ,oidos oiitondiiii.r purzillrl to and ailjiiiont tho liin' lportion. v

A lim-h inoiiihor l'or :i #riparato latch knittingiiiiu'liinii iiowllo having' zi point ooopc-rzitiiig willi 'tho hool:` ol ihr noodle und having' zi shank. :i poi-tion olltho shrink lioiiifhvr oxfoiidid l'iaiisi'oi-Hily und lirnt liaol( upon ilsoll with ,sluii'p liviidh4 or rioasvs in hoth ol iis sillon #monding pzii'iillol to sind.

laborally tlieroilii'ongli, he shank 'forward i oi said oiioning heinginclinod outwardly 'from the line or' lli@ inner odge ol' the hook niomlfier incl toriiiiuziingr in the ilforiif'iii'd @incl in an outwardly offset, portion provflorl 'said slot. und iiioiins forprei/anfing,y (lui-ing `with a hook, thc said shank being provided with a longitudinal and transverse slot ex tending-into said openingand a projection on the rear edge oi' the shank forward of the lateral opening to provide a guidel tor the latch member.

2G. A knitting machine comprising a necdlc cylinder provided with longitudinal needle slots having inwardly deepened portions adjacent the fori'urd ends. separate' latch needles having outwardly offset hooked ends mounted for reciprocation in .said slots, and means` for causing the said needles to rock into the deepened portions ot' saidslots '15' Aduring the retra'cting movementand to rock out ot'said -deej'iened portions and to move rectilini-farly during the latter portion of thc projecting movement.

2T. A knitting machine comprising a needle ,cylinderprovided with longitudinal needle slots having inwardly deepened portions at theirtorward ends, a sinker cylin-. der mounted atthe top of the needle cylinder having a peripheral needle guiding surface, 26 separate latch needles having outwardly oilset hooked ends mounted for reciprocation in said slots and guiding against the periphery oit the. Sinkel' cylinder, and means ior causing said needles to 'rock into the deep- 30 ened portions of said slots during the retracting movement and to rock out ol said deepened portions and to move rectilinearly during the latterportion ot the projecting movement.

28. A knitting machine comprising ancedle cylinder provided with longitudinal needle slots having inwardly deepened portions at their forward ends, a sinker cylinder mounted at the top ot the needle cylinder l0 having a peripheral needle guiding surface,

separate latch needles having outwardly oilset hooked ends mounted ior reciprocation 'in said slots and guiding against the periph- .ery of the sinker cylinder and provided 'with cam surfaces on their inncr and outer edges, a fixed guide ring surroundingr said needles, cooperating ,cam surfaces vtormcd on the cylinder and the guide ring to cooperate with thc cam surfaces on the needies and acting on the retraction ot the .needles to causc the needles to rock in- `w-iz'dly into the deepened portions ol thc slots and upon projection oi the needles to cause the needles to rock outwardly and at thc conclusion oi the 'to more rectilinearly.

2f?, A knitting machine comprisinga needlc cylinder provided with longitudinal needle guiding slots, a sinker cylinder mount- UO cd on thc needle cylinder and presenting a nccdle guiding periphery, a guide ring member' mounted concentrieally of the needle cylinder. a skeleton cylinder mounted concentrieally of the needle eylinderheneath projecting movement the guide ring member, separate latch limit'- ing-ueedles mounted in the needle slots, the said needles during the yarn taking movement guiding against the exterior periphery oi thesinker cylinder, the interior periphery ol' thc guide ring member and the interior periphery ol' thc skeleton cylinder.

ill). knitting machine 'comprising a cylinder provided with longitudinal needle guiding slots. a dial mounted above said cylinder. scparatcI latch knitting needles hav ing outwardly olisct h'ookcdends and mounted in said slotsfa projecting cam ring surrounding said cylinder and provided with opjiositely y disposed projecting cams terminating in high points, thc high point of the cam effecting the projection of the nee-l dles during circular knitting being higher than the other high point whereby the needles are projected to the maximum only as yarn taking position in circular knitting and whereby except at this point the needles may drop back to provide the required clearance tor the work between the dialperiphery and the needles.

31. A separate ylatch knitting machine needle comprising separate hook and 'latch members, the said hook member being provided with a latch guiding slot, the said latch member movable in said slot longitudinally relatively i'o the hook member and provided with a hcadhaving a point. to cover the hook and permit casting ott, the forward end oiI the hook member bcing offset outwardly from thc line ol' the inner edge oil thc hook member, means lor effecting lateral trictional engagement between one of said members and thc walls oi' the needle lz-cd slot and means on thc hook member acting to limit both outward and inward morement oi the latch member relatively to the hook. member.

32. A separate latch knitting machine needle comprising separate hook and latch members.I the said hook member being provided with a latch guiding slot, the said latch member movable iii saidY slot longitudinally relatively to thelfhoolt member and provided with a head havin' `jloint to cover thc hook and permit cast-lng lofi, the i'orward end ol" thc hook member being offset outwardly irom the linc o'f the inner edgc ol the hook member. thc hook member being provided on its outward iacewvith a recess voi a cross sectional area substantially equal to the cross sectional areay of the latch member at the base of its point whereby the latch member may be projected outwardly and moved relatively to the hook member into closed cooperative relation with the hook without increasing the total cross section olq the members occupied by the stitch while the base-of the latch point is moving in said recess. l

33. A separate latch knitting machine needie. comprising a hook member provided IUD ( point wheeby the' latch member may be projecied outwardly end moved relatively "zo, che hook member into closed cooperative relation. xvii-h ihe hook Without increasing the total cross section of the ineinoere occupied by the stitch while the base of the latch point is movingr in seid'recess. i

34. A .separate laich liniing machine needle comprising' separan? hook and latch members, the said hooi; member heimn provided with e slot extending; longitudinally and transversely ilhereof, the seid latch meniber being bodily movable Wil-heul transverse ilexure in seid slot longiudinnliy and crans vereely iielatively tothe hook member' andv provided -wvith a heard` having point to cover the hook perni-it cest'ng on", cooperetingineens on said members for gnich ing the latch heed and peine in the relative movement oi the members between 'the projected and rei/recited positions the needle, *che body of the hook member being provided with` nn. opening presenting inner and outer guide Walls opposite the butt of the shank of the latch membery and ectincr to prevent relative transverse movement ol the butt of the shank of the latch member with respect lo the hook member during relocive longitudinal movements oi' the seidv inembecs,

35'. A sell conained. separziie hitch linin- 'ing machine needle comprising; e hook ineinber having` a body portion provided with an opening` extending;r laterally thercthiough presenting walls at its inner and outer sides,

the seid hook Incinher being provided with e latch guiding slot J'orvvnrd of the opening, o

latch member movable ai its forward portion in said slot and 'et its hott in said openiinf59 the said innerend outer wells acting' to prevent .transverse mcveineniI oi' the latch hut-t duringlongiiudinzil movement of the hitch member reletivelylo ihe hooi; member.

36; A sell connined separado latch knitn ting machine needle having die construction defined in Gleim 35 together with means io: effecting lateral fricionel engagement be 'tween he latch buil :ind the Walle of lhe needle bed slot: opposite seid opening.

37. A sell conieined seperate hitch knit` ting machine needle comprising a. hook mcinber having e body peiiion provided with leveren; rensversely seperated guiding Wells and with the latch 'guiding sloiA 'oriverdof the Said Wells, a latch meniher movebleei its forward portion -in said sloi and et iis bult betweensaid Walls, the seid Walls eciingg; to guide the latch butt during` longiiudinel inovemeni; 0i; the latch niembe: relziiively to the hook member.

38. A separate latch knitting machine needle comprising e hook member, and e separaie hitch member movable longitudinally and transversely ivi-'5h respect to the hook member and provided with a laterally resilient hun; and'with c reiracting sli/oui der, in which a, line extending beiween the hook of the hook member and the said rerecting shoulder is loceed inside of the `lriciion line of Ache laich butt whereby upon ehe rerecting infweinenil oi the needle `nhe tendency is no hold the forward ends of both vche hook meinbernnd the latch `meniloer iniverdly.

fi. knitting machine comprising e needle cylinder provided with longitudinal .needle-slots having inwardly deepened pon tions edjaceni che forward ends, separate hitch needles mounted for reciprocetion in said @loi/s.. sind ineens for causing the seid needles to' rock .inio the deepened portion of ihe seid slots during the retreciing movemenl and to rock out of said deepened portion end io move reciilinearly dnringthe i hitch lguiding surfaces acting to limit both the outward and inward movements of the 1leimh memher'relotively to the hook meri oer.

e2. A. separate latch knitlzirngY machine needle comprising a hook nienfibery and e latch meniber hei/*ing relative longitudinal und transverse movements to effect their cooperative action, the hook member having an outwardly offset hook and three latch guiding surfaces and noting to lirni'J both the outward and inward movements of 'the latch member releively to the hook member.

4&3. A seperate latch knitting machineneedle comprising :i hook member and a. latch member having relative longitudinal. end crensveree movements to elect their ooopcretive notion the hook, member having i. o zi lll)l 'mensen an outwerdlyloset hookV and latch guiding, surfaces acting to limit both the outward relatively to the hook member. l

442i 'separete latch knitting machine sind inward movements of the latch member needle comprising a hook-'member having e hook, :i latch member movable longitudinelly and transversely of the hook member to co-operate with the hook and means on" the hook member for limiting both the outy werd-end' inward movements of the latch memmr relatively to the hook member.

45. A. seperate latch knitting machine needle comprising a hook member and a. relatively lo'mgitudilielly and transversely finoveble latch member, the said hook mem ber having an outwardly offset hook and a recess extending toward the hook, and means in communication with the recess for-guiding the latch member in its movement relatively tolthe hook member, the latch memvber moving'entirely between the lines of the outer end inner edgesot the hook member whereby the yarn is readily caught by the hook and the entire needle is capable of operation in e single needle bed slot.

1.26. A separate latch knitting machine needle comprising a hook member having an outwardly offset hook, a longitudinal and 30' transverse slot und a recess between the hook needle comprising e hook-member having en 4 outwardly oset hook, e longitudinal end. h transverse slot. and ya recess lin the outer fece of the hook member between the lla slot, anda latch memberslidable in the slot and recess to co-operete with the hook, the said latch member moving entirely out wardly of the lineof the inner edge of the hook member whereby the entire needle may operate in a single needle bedvslot end the yarn may retdi y be cau litby the hook.

48. A 'separate latch. ittin machine needle comprising a, hook mein er, and e separate latch member havingrelative bodily'movements to effect their cooperative action, and means resulting from the npplicetion ot' n retracting force' to the'hoolt` member tending to hold the forward ends of the hook and latch members inwardly.

ln testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

lA'lRlCK P. LA MONTAGNE.

and slot, endv e latch` member slideble intim.x slot and recess to col-operate with .the ho'oln ook endl 

